, "rites" Zeng Ten Research

Zeng Zi, as one of the most eminent disciples of Confucius, was an important figure in the Confucian history before Qin dynasty. Confucianism was continually developed by the inside saints after Confucius, from Zeng Zi to Zi Si, and from Zi Si to Mencius. From Confucius to the doctrine of Mencius, Zeng Zi was a crucial inheritor. Therefore, the study of Zeng Zi's thought played a significant role in our understanding the early teaching of Confucianism, and our acknowledgement of the inheritance and development of post-Confucius.There exists some controversial points in the study of Zeng Zi, of which, the most important is the problem concerning Zeng Zi's researching references. From a traditional point of view, the most relevant books were the Great Learning and the Classic of the Classic of Filial Piety and there was the Eighteen Chapters of the Zengzi in the Hanshu. But unfortunately, it has long been lost. But in Dadailiji, there is large amount of records on Zeng Zi. So what is the relation between the Ten Chapters and the Eighteen Chapters? Are there any inner relations with the Great Learning and the Classic of the Classic of Filial Piety and does it accord with the thought of Zeng Zi, did Zeng Zi t write it? To solve these problems, we should re-study the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi by avoiding the negative infection of suspecting the ancient thought since Song Dynasty.From the perspective of the documents, there is a close relationship between the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi and the Eighteen Chapters of the Zengzi. During early Han Dynasty, over two hundreds of rites' books had been collected, from which, Daide chose eighty-five chapters and edited it into the later called Dadailiji. In the process of editing the book, he selected the Book of Zeng zi, and rearranged it into ten series or more. Liu Xiang also saw the book of Zeng Zi when he was arranging the books, and he had it into eighteen series. There is a difference in the sections between the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi and the Eighteen Chapters of the Zengzi. Yet they share more commonality than variety.The initial book of Zeng zi should be traced back to the materials left by Zeng Zi, in Confucius' teaching, there was notes left by Zeng Zi, then it was arranged by types into a whole book..In the process of history, there emerged many scholars who collected Dadailiji, of which, Wang Ping-zhen's Dadailijijiegu achieved high level. These Scholars gave a high evaluation on the academic value of the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi.From the angel of history of thought, the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi has a close relation with the Analects, the Great Learning, the Classic of Filial Piety and the Zisizi. There is not only inheritance but also development in the Ten Chapters of Zengzi, which elevated the goal of benevolence to a new height, and made it become the core of obedience government. The Ten Chapters of the Zengzi deals with the molding of character, humanism, and the cultivation of superior man, which gets accordance with the thought of living in the Analects, which is compatible with thought of the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi. It is traditionally believed that Zeng Zi had written the Great Learning and the Classic of Filial Piety. The Great Learning stresses the molding of character, which is compatible with the thought of the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi. The Classic of Filial Piety concerns with the obedience of parents, and it is pious to be obedient, which is also compatible with the Ten Chapters of Zengzi. In terms of Zisizi, Zi Si also elaborated and developed many significant thoughts advocated by the Ten Chapters of the Zengzi.Therefore, researching from the recording of documents and thought comparison, the thesis argues that the Ten Chapters of Zengzi was written by Zeng zi, and it is important as well as reliable reference for the study of Zeng Zi.Zeng Zi devoted himself to Confucianism and paid attention to self-cultivating. He established and practiced the theory of filial piety and advocated an ideal personality. He worshiped the soc...